Josh Trank could Bring Spider-Man’s Venom to the Big Screen

In a somewhat surprising turn of events, The LA Times is reporting that Chronicle director Josh Trank is in talks to direct Venom, a feature film based on the “Spider-Man” character.

First appearing in the comic book series as an alien costume worn by Spider-Man in “The Amazing Spider-Man” #252 in 1984, it was several years before the creature left Peter Parker and merged with photographer Eddie Brock, forming the antihero known as Venom. Since then, the character has appeared in a variety of different forms and bonded with several different hosts. In the “Ultimate” Marvel Universe, the suit has a more terrestrial origin, created by Parker and Brock’s scientist parents in an attempt to cure cancer.

Venom has appeared on the big screen before in Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man 3, played by Topher Grace. It is unlikely that the proposed film will bear any connection to that take on the character, though it remains to be seen if the project will connect in any form to July 3rd’s The Amazing Spider-Man.

Sony has allegedly toyed with the idea of a Venom spinoff in the past, but this new version is rumored to be unconnected to previous drafts. Check back for studio confirmation and official details as soon as they become available.